Defender Painted Medium 24 Inches Long - The 1895 America's Cup Champion The Defender, launched in 1895, was built to defend the America’s Cup against the British challenger Valkyrie III. Designed by Nathanael Herreshoff, it was a revolutionary yacht featuring an aluminum and bronze hull, making it one of the most advanced racing yachts of its time. Defender successfully won the cup, further solidifying the dominance of American yacht design. This model is meticulously handcrafted from cedar wood, mahogany, teak, and various other exotic woods. Each model is 100% handmade, built using the plank-on-frame construction method—similar to actual shipbuilding. Craftsmen spend hundreds of hours ensuring precision and historical accuracy. Features: - Hull Design: The Defender features a sleek, deep blue hull with a white upper section, perfectly replicating the yacht’s elegant and hydrodynamic form. The smooth, curved shape ensures an authentic representation of its racing pedigree. - Masts & Rigging: The single towering mast, finished in rich mahogany tones, supports hand-tied rigging and detailed spars. The large, hand-stitched linen sails capture the spirit of 19th-century racing yachts. - Deck Accessories: The deck is crafted with wooden planks and includes multiple handcrafted hatches, winches, cleats, and a carefully detailed helm, all enhancing the model’s historical accuracy. The bowsprit extends forward, adding to its classic racing aesthetic. - Display Stand: This model comes assembled and is mounted on a solid wooden base with a brass nameplate, making it a standout piece for any home, office, or yacht club. Note: Model arrives with the mast and sails folded down for easy shipping; all riggings are done, just need to raise the mast up and make some adjustments to straighten out the sails, assembly in minutes. Please take a look at the assembly youtube video here . Embrace the little challenge of bringing your model to life, just as sailors prepared their vessels for the open sea. This museum-quality model is a must-have for classic yacht enthusiasts, America's Cup historians, and collectors of legendary sailing vessels. Own a piece of sailing history with the Defender today!